Turkish cuisine is one of the world’s great
cusines and has a long and complex history.
Some of the recipes collected here were
developed in the kitchens of the Ottoman
sultans over five years ago, where, with the
infinite variety of fish, fowl, meat, fruit,
grains, and vegetables that were available,
chefs completed to create innovative dishes.
The result is an array of recipes that are
as healthy as they are delicious.

Turkeys soups are renowned for their
subtlety and their diversity. The winter
season brings thick, hearty broths with fresh
vegetables, while summer months see
lighter, more delicate like yogurt-mint and
tomato soups. Please ask our staff for
today's specialty..

Red Lentil Soup: $5.00

Appetizers

Many Turkish appetizers are naturally vegetarian. Be on the lookout for our vegetarian dishes, indicated with a . All appetizers are served with our fresh baked bread.

Antep Ezme ... $6.50
This wonderful pureed spicy salad is named for
the Eastern Turkish city of Antep. Prepared from
finely chopped tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley,
green pepper, and walnuts. The salsa-like salad
is held together by a lightly seasoned body of olive
oil and tomato paste and then sharpened with
lemon juice.

Cacik ... $5.00
As far as we know, Turks discovered yogurt.
Cacik, a cool cucumber salad with yogurt and
mint, is the flavorful and time-honored result of
that discovery.

Carrot Ezme ... $6.00
A carrot puree prepared with creamy yogurt
spiked with garlic. This choice is delicious and
nutritious.

Imam Bayildi ... $8.00
Baby eggplant browned in olive oil, stuffed with
a blend of green pepper, sautéed onion, garlic,
tomato, and parsley, and then sprinkled with
pine nuts, whose smooth texture and subtle
taste beautifully offset the deep, warm tastes
of the eggplant and olive oil. Legend has it that
a Muslim cleric once ate this dish and was so
overwhelmed by its splendid taste that he fainted.
Hence the name, which "Swooning Imam".

Kalamar Tava ... $10.00
Fresh calamari battered and fried until crisp and golden. Served over a
bed of lettuce with our special Turkish house sauce, and then garnished
with lemon and a sprig of fresh parsley.Soquk Meze ... Small $15.00 or
Large $19.00
Translated as a "Cool Spread," this combination appetizer platter is the object
of widespread appeal among Turks. It offers you the chance to sample a
wonderful and diverse selection of our following
vegetarian appetizers: Nohut Ezme, Patlican Salata, Antep Ezme, Ispanak
Ezme, Yaprak Dolma and carrot salad which is not listed on the menu. It
is designed to be shared and arranged in a thick, colorful ring. This dish
is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

Etli Bamya Guveci ... $16.00
Lean cubes of lamb or chicken with rich okra in a
tomato-onion sauce and then baked with cheese
on top. Lively and satisfying, this casserole also
comes with rice.

Enginar Guveci ... $17.00
A classic entree with lean cubes of lamb or
chicken simmered with artichoke in a tomato
onion sauce with cheese on top (optional). This
casserole also comes with rice.

Seafood

Turkey is surrounded by sea on the Northern,
Western, and Southern coasts. Turkish culture
is steeped in fishing, and our seafood dishes are
renowned for their unique touch.

Kilic Sis ... $19.00
Cubes of swordfish marinated with our chefs
special ingredients and then grilled to
perfection on a skewer, where the tangy
swordfish is flanked by grilled tomato, green
pepper, onion, and bay leaf in a mouthwatering
shish kebab.

Lavrek Izgara ... $19.00
A delicious entree of fresh baked sea bass.
The smooth, buttery sweetness of the fish
enlivened by scallion, parsley, and just a hint
of paprika. Adorned with slices of

Istanbul Café prepares a variety of different kinds
of kebab entrees to meet the demands and the
curiosity of your discriminating palate. Our chef
offers chicken and lamb kebabs in a variety
of traditional styles. Most kebab entrees are
served with rice pilaf or spiced bulgur, and are
accompanied by fresh greens.

Tavuk Sis Kebab ... $15.00
Tender pieces of hand chopped chicken breast
seasoned in a lively marinate of Turkish spices
and then char grilled on skewers. Served in
simple, juicy perfection with rice and greens.

Kuzu Sis Kebab ... $16.00
Lean cubes of lamb marinated and grilled over
acharcoal fire. Its simple preparation allows you
to savor the exquisite, flavor of the coal-fired
lamb. Served with rice and greens.

Adana Kebab ... $15.00
The darling of kebab lovers. Rumor has
it that cooks in Southern Turkey regularly
make Adana Kebabs up to thirty six feet
long. Delicious, lean lamb tinged with a spicy
vegetable juice, skewered, and cooked with
specialcareoveracharcoal fire and served with
rice.

Pirzola ... $17.00
Delectable lamb chops prepared in uniquely
Turkish fashion over a charooal flame. Served
with rice and greens.

Karisik Izgara Kebab ... $19.00
Four different kebabs in one dish! An inviting
combination of lamb chop, (weekends) doner
kebab, lamb, chicken, and Adana kebabs cooked
to your desire and served with rice and greens.
Aluxurious treat for any lover of kebabs.

Yogurtlu Kebab ... $17.50
Our house special Yogurtlu Kebab is home
made Turkish fare at its best. Your choice of
chicken, Jamb or Adana kebab is laid out
over our home-made fresh bread and
generously laden with spiced tomato sauce
and cool yogurt.

Istim Kebab ... $18.00
Broiled lamb shank wrapped with eggplant slices
and then baked. It is as healthy as it is delicious.
Served with rice.
Yaprak Doner Kebab ... $15.50Served only on Friday and Saturday
Delicious lamb marinated in its own juices and
cooked on a rotating skewer. Shaved in thin
slices and served with rice pilaf and greens.

Iskender Kebab ... $17.00Served only on Friday and Saturday
Enjoy tender lamb shaved from a rotating skewer
on top of lightly buttered bread with cool yogurt
and a tangy tomato sauce. One of the Turkeys
most loved specialties.

Desserts

Baklava ... $6.00
In this classic Turkish dessert, delicate leaves
of crisp, golden filo are layered with a tempting
mixture of crushed walnuts, pistachio, sugar and
clove. Laden with rich, sweet, home made syrup,
our baklava is virtually irresistible.

Künefe ... $7.00
Baked shredded filo dough with lor cheese filing,
sweetened with our chefs special home made
syrup and served hot.

Sütlac ... $5.00
A delectable light pudding of boiled milk, rice, and
sugar, flavored with cinnamon, baked in the oven
and then cooled in a clay bowl.